摘要 |
A vibratory system is provided on a wall member of a receptacle. The vibratory system comprises inner and outer rod elements projecting transversely from the inner and outer sides of the wall member and secured thereto, as by an internal screw stud with the axes of the rod members substantially aligned. Vibrations are induced in the outer rod element by an electromagnet having a coil which is supplied with low frequency electrical pulses. The magnitude of such vibrations is sensed by sensing the electrical signals induced in the coil due to such vibrations. A biasing magnetic flux is produced between the electromagnet and the outer rod element so that the vibrations produce variations in the magnetic flux. The electrical pulses supplied to the coil are at a substantially lower frequency than the natural vibration frequency of the outer rod element. Such electrical signals may be supplied through an amplifier to a comparator for comparing the level of the amplified signals with a reference level, and causing operation of an output device, according to whether or not the level of the amplified signals exceeds the reference level. The amplifier may be gated so that it is inactive during the vibration inducing pulses, while being active during the intervals between such pulses. When the flowable material in the bin or other receptacle engages the inner rod element, the vibrations of the outer rod element are reduced in magnitude. This reduction causes a change in the state of the output device, which may be in the form of an electrical relay adapted to operate a warning device, or to perform any desired control functions.
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